Stock Compensation Arrangements (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	$ 17,223	$ 13,515	$ 54,078	$ 41,430
Income tax benefit	(3,865)	(3,671)	(12,135)	(11,252)
Stock compensation expense after taxes	13,358	9,844	41,943	30,178
Cost Of License
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	1,794	1,375	5,152	4,092
Cost Of Maintenance And Service
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	436	361	1,264	993
Research And Development Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	8,178	6,157	24,351	19,868
Sales And Marketing Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	3,582	2,812	10,153	7,987
General And Administrative Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense before taxes	$ 3,233	$ 2,810	$ 13,158	$ 8,490